Question
QUESTION: I am thinking about buying a N. sanguinea, Orange Pitcher (Highland) and a D. adelae - Lance Leaf Sundew. I hope you will be able to answer these 2 questions for me. I live in California I have a window facing South that gets 2-3 hours of sun. I also have air conditioning in all the rooms of my apartment. Will these 2 plants be able to live in an air condition home and with that much sun? I don't want to buy them and then have them die!..Thanks..

ANSWER: Hi Juanita,

I certainly appreciate your thoughtfulness in making sure you have the right growing conditions before getting your plants.  I wish more customers were like you!

When you say 2-3 hours of sun, do you mean 2-3 hours of direct sunlight and very bright indirect light during the rest of the day? If this is the case, you could grow both plants very well.  I have a Drosera adelae in my south kitchen window.  It's been there for over 2 years!

In summer, the sun is overhead, so you won't get a lot of direct sunlight.  However, in winter, the sun is lower in the horizon, so more light will enter the window.  On the flip side, the daylight hours are shorter.  In either case, D. adelae will appreciate this type of lighting.

Nepenthes sanguinea will grow fine in a south window.  In summer, it may not get enough sunlight, so you would see fewer pitchers.  In late winter and spring, with more direct sun, you would see more pitchers.  Regardless, the plant should grow fine in a south window.  I've have several Nepenthes hanging in a south window right now.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin

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QUESTION: Thank you for answering my question..I have one more if you don't mind. We also have ac in our apartment in every room. I heard you would have troubles growing these plants if you run the ac in your house is this true? I heard the ac takes all the moister out of the air that these plants need to live with? I just thought I would ask to find out if this was true or not what I read. Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Juanita,

Your air conditioning may or may not be a problem.  You can increase local humidity around your plants by using pebble trays, or having other regular houseplants around your carnivorous plants to raise ambient humidity.  I have a large Nepenthes sanguinea in my bedroom for about 3 years, and it was air conditioned during the summer.  It grew and pitchered well.

Our experience has been that dealing with humidity is always a red herring when growing carnivorous plants.  Deal with light, proper soil, and watering first.  Give the plants time.  If after a month or two (this amount of time is needed with Nepenthes) the plants don't look as good as they should, then you many need to consider humidity.  Never do it the other way around.  I just answered question before yours where the person did that (focus on humidity) and the result was light green, sickly plants.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com

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QUESTION: I am still thinking about ordering a Sundew to go with my N. That I bought, but I was wandering what kind of water they need? Can they have tap water,Spring water, Distilled water, river water? Do they need special water? I also have a Pur filter on my kitchen sink facet should I use that when watering my plants? Thanks

Answer
Hi Juanita,

Most carnivorous plants need low mineral water.  The Nepenthes are less fussy they can be watered with tap water.  Tap water can be used on the other plants if the total dissolved solids are 50 parts per million or less.  You can find this information out from your water bureau if you're in a city, or you can have it tested.  Until you know that, use only distilled water, rainwater, or water purified (filtered) by reverse osmosis.  No other water or filtration method is suitable.  Filters such as PUR, Brita etc... are carbon filters, and they don't remove minerals.  River water or spring water would need to be tested just like your tap water to find out if the mineral content is low enough.


Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com